The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) today announced they have moved to new offices in Brussels. IDF is a federation of over 200 diabetes associations in over 160 countries and has its headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
The Federation's work has expanded exponentially to meet the challenge of the growing global diabetes epidemic. Diabetes organizations around the world are applying for membership; the Executive Office in Brussels has expanded to support work in key areas of diabetes education, epidemiology and health economics. IDF also continues to build on the foundation of its advocacy, awareness campaigns - World Diabetes Day and Unite for Diabetes - and World Diabetes Congresses. The move to larger offices at Chaussee de La Hulpe 166, Brussels 1170 Belgium, will accommodate a growing staff and enable the Federation to host the global diabetes community in Federation headquarters. The move allows IDF to further its mission to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide.
"The International Diabetes Federation is the global voice for diabetes" said Ann Keeling, CEO and Executive Director of the International Diabetes Federation. "In 2006 we secured a United Nations Resolution on diabetes; we are working tirelessly to put diabetes and Non-Communicable diseases at the heart of the global health agenda; and we're busy working to provide the evidence, the tools and the momentum to reverse the diabetes epidemic."
The Federation is the global advocate for the more than 250 million people with diabetes, their families and the many more at risk of developing diabetes. IDF is also the global source of information on diabetes prevalence, education and care. It works with a wide array of stakeholders including governments, civil society, health professionals, pharmaceutical and other industries, education and research institutions, employers and the wider community to raise diabetes awareness, encourage prevention efforts and to improve diabetes care. IDF is a non-governmental organization in official relations with the World Health Organization, the Pan-American Health Organization and associated to the United Nations' Department of Public Information.
According to IDF's Diabetes Atlas, by 2025, the number of people affected by diabetes is expected to balloon to 380 million. Diabetes has rapidly become one of the largest epidemics of the 21st century. The Federation is leading the battle and is working globally, regionally and locally to improve care, increase spending on diabetes prevention and care, provide education, provide and exchange data on diabetes and to raise awareness.
"One of our missions is to provide hope for people with diabetes. While diabetes is very serious, with proper education and care, diabetes is manageable and it is possible to live long and healthy life. Sadly, in many countries, essential diabetes medicines are unaffordable and diabetes becomes a death sentence, especially for children," said Keeling. "We created the blue circle as the global symbol for diabetes in 2006. It is a circle because that is a symbol of unity and it is blue because of the sky that unites us all. It is a happy coincidence that our new office is in the shape of a circle, a constant reminder of our symbol of unity and hope".
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Note to Editors:
Link to IDF logos - http://www.box.net/shared/eqpiz9sguv
New offices as of April 20, 2009:
International Diabetes Federation
Chaussee de La Hulpe 166
Brussels 1170
Belgium
Tel : +32-2-5385511
Fax : +32-2-5385114
Email : info@idf.org
Website : www.idf.org
International Diabetes Federation
Kerrita McClaughlyn
Office: +322 5431639
Mobile: +32487 530625
Email: media@idf.org
Website: www.idf.org
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